HP Explains Decision Bring Back Windows 7 PCs

Selling Windows 7 in a Windows 8 world

In case you missed it, Hewlett-Packard (HP) last week began advertising the return of Windows 7 desktops. The OEM said its decision to sell Windows 7 systems in a Windows 8 world was influenced by "popular demand," but what we found interesting is how aggressively the world's second largest PC maker promoted its Windows 7 machines. Was there more than meets the eye? HP today posted a blog further explaining its reasoning for bringing back Windows 7.

"The answer is dead simple: Choice. We like giving our customers the option to get the computer that's right for them," HP explains. "For some folks, that's Android. We've got everything from 2-in-1 detachables like the SlateBook x2 to the giant-sized Slate 21 All-in-One."

HP reiterated that it still offers Windows 8.1 systems and emphatically stated in all caps that it has no plans whatsoever of dropping the touch-friendly OS from its lineup. However, "some people still want to run Windows 7 on their computers," hence why the last generation OS is still an option.

Comments

Windows 8 was designed by geniuses and for geniuses. The great mass of average computer users will never understand such a brilliant design. Small and simple movements with mice and keyboards are completely inferior to dynamic control achieved by waving around the arms and hands. When Windows 9 gets here I'm sure that we will also be required to thrash our legs and feet for true Kick Ass performance.

You only have to use win8 for a few minutes to see how cumbersome it is to operate. They should have kept metro for tablet & phone users while removing it for desktop users. Touch screen is silly for laptop & desktop users.
BTW another service pack for win7 that includes AMD's Kaveri & HSA would be nice since its only included on windows 8 onwards.

So when "Microsoft finally listened to everyone" and brings Windows 9 back to Windows 7 with all the improvements between then and now, I'm going to laugh at all the people who buy it who said they would never buy a Microsoft product again.

Totally accede LatiosXT. Windows 8.1 is actual abiding and I accept not gotten any hiccups. The alone absolute acrimony for me is that pictures opens with the Photo app and so does the documents. Any way to change this? Managing files on those apps are black and is just too abundant plan if I accept altered drives and folders.

1. Right click on the picture you want to open
2. Go to "Open With" and then select "Choose default program"\
3. Select Windows Photo Viewer. If it's not there, then select "more items" and keep looking down the list until you find it.
4. Press OK and all of the pictures for that file type should open in the regular photo viewer from now on.

wow... it sounds like you are forced to use Windows 8. No one is forcing you to use it or buy it. You don't like it, don't use it. But it seems like it's your life duty to go onto a site and bash Windows 8 just because you think the OS is crap.
There are lots of people out there that uses Windows 8 that doesn't seem to have as much a problem as you. So maybe it is the user's fault if they have problems.
As for you comment that Windows 8 is worse than Windows ME and Vista, then you my friend, are an idiot.
You should go back to Vista and run on that slow POS of an OS. Even MS themselves admitted it.

I still have my Windows Me disk. I keep it for playing my old games. Me had a problem when system restore was enabled. Windows Vista only had a speed problem. I have an HP that has Vista on it. My main computer runs Windows 7. Now Windows 8 is a pain to get in to certain areas with a mouse, but that is me. I also have had to fix settings and driver conflicts with 8 and it was hell. I would rather go through the BSOD than go through 8 again. I am no longer going to upgrade past 7 with Microsoft. I have been on and off with Linux long enough to get around. I like Zorin OS and Ubuntu best so far. Basically, The best OS is the one one gets the most work done on even with the occasional interruptions. Technically all operating systems are the best to someone.

It's much more then the Start Menu. The whole OS just sucks. It's the one OS for everything that blows. I don't want a cell phone on my desktop. But to M$ money talks so Win7 is the last M$ product I'll be buying.

Make sure you call Ballmer and let him know you're still trying to sell his bad idea. But you better hurry at M$ management is being fired, stepping down or forced into resigning. Nice try!

Oh! He's gonna explain all of Windows 8 shortcomings and what he doesn't like, this should be interesting and informative!

"I don't want a cell phone on my desktop"

Well there go that idea.

You contradicted yourself after one sentence. Further proving the idea that people that don't like Windows 8 are just too stupid to understand how to use it.

"The whole OS just sucks."

Care to explain? Is it because Windows 8 does literally EVERYTHING faster than 7 and tons of benchmarks prove it? Is that why?

"It's the one OS for everything that blows."

Again, care to elaborate on why it "blows" so much? You DO realize that Windows 8 STILL HAS A DESKTOP right? Yeah see that big tile that says "Desktop"? Click it and BAM! you're back to the desktop! Bet that just blew your mind didn't it?

8.1 allows you to never have to see Metro again. If you use the desktop for a few months you could even forget Metro is even an option. The first device I bought with my Windows 8 laptop was a mouse. The only app I use touch your is the new desktop Firefox.

Well that convinced me!!! I've read your foolish rambling rants before but you Microsoft employee/fanboys/developers/stock holders/best buy salesman/etc. just don't seem to get it. I've used all the W8 previews and it is just plain painful to spend hours trying to get it to function like W7. In fact I could teach a class on how to use it. But I'd start the class by saying you should return your PC and get one with W7.

The real problem 'kixofmyg0t' is you're an asshole and the small minority of people like you can't accept (like M$) W8 is a failure. That's why HP is selling W7 PCs. That's why W7 use is going up and XP is still #2.

I'm sure HP would give you just about the same credibility as the rest of us here when you tell them why they are selling Win7 PC's...especially in a comment to an article in which HP TELLS you why they are selling Win7 PC's. (hint: It isn't because Win8 is a failure)

As for the rest of your comments...well, I'm sorry you have such problems learning a simple OS. But, instead of blaming the OS, perhaps you should look to your own deficiencies.

I'm wondering if you had the same problem learning to use Android. Or, did you just give up on it, blame Android for being a lousy OS and go back to using your old flip phone?

Yep. There's your problem. You tried out the previews and couldn't figure out how to get to the desktop and gave up on Windows 8 entirely.

"it is just plain painful to spend hours trying to get it to function like W7"

It takes you hours to install Classic Shell? How stupid are you? The only difference between 7 and 8 is they blew up the start menu to a whole active screen. Once you get to the desktop(yes Windows 8 has a full desktop! I know crazy right?)it's Windows 7 again.

"I could teach a class on how to use it. "

Yes I can see it now.

*LESSON 1! Getting to know Metro since the desktop is gone!*

*LESSON 2! Spending literal hours trying to install Classic Shell!*

*LESSON 3! Relearning how to use the mouse and keyboard on a touchscreen only phone OS*

"small minority of people like you can't accept (like M$) W8 is a failure"

I personally don't care if it's a "failure" or not. It's not my fault that you're too stupid to use it.

"That's why HP is selling W7 PCs. That's why W7 use is going up and XP is still #2."

They offer 3 PC's with 7, and 26 with 8.1(I won't even get into Win 8.1 since you couldn't even figure out 8. 8.1 is too complicated for you). They offer Android too. Guess that means Windows 7 is doomed since they sell Android right?

kixofmyg0t should not call others stupid. I made my way around Windows 8 and in my opinion it sucks. For other smart people out there that think the same way does not make them stupid at all, so what does that make you. A rock or a vegetable. So I do not have to buy it and you can love it all you want. It fails to catch a majority audience is all. Next time do ones self a favor and think before you confirm ones intelligence to others.

Not going to excuse Microsoft for bad decisions and bad design, it was dumb and the need to fix it...how ever i think all of us on this site know how to click a few buttons to install "start is back" or many other start menu replacements and have an enhanced version of 7.(which takes about 30seconds to install, not hours) I understand the hate from the common peoples perspective, but i don't understand it from the techies.

Quote : "Further proving the idea that people that don't like Windows 8 are just too stupid to understand how to use it."
Are you 8 year old ? Calling people stupid just because they don't like something you adore ?

Yes that's it. I'm totally 8 years old. Been using PC's since before Windows 1.0 but now i'm 8 somehow.

I never said I adored Windows 8. I also never called anyone stupid simply because they "don't like" Windows 8. You wanna know what I adore? Netrunner and Android but that's besides the point. I called them stupid because they still can't figure out how to use Windows 8.

I would LOVE to see them try to use Linux. I would sit back and laugh as they frantically tried looking for the "Start" button and then just give up on it entirely after 30 seconds like they do with 8. I wonder how these people even live day to day with modern electronics. Do they have a smartphone? Has to be an iPhone because they're too stupid to figure out how to use a Android device.

It's been a year already, and you people STILL haven't figured out where the desktop is. Just stop. Stop trying to use a PC altogether. If you still can't figure out how to use a simple OS like Windows 8 you shouldn't be allowed to use a PC at all.

@kixofmyg0t ... you don't get it do you! You assume a whole lot don't you.

I can install Linux Mint and be up and running in minutes. In fact I distro hop and Windows 8 out of the box is much more difficult to use than many Linux OS. But of course you're just a babbling idiot that thinks he can convince everyone you're right. Do yourself a favor and just STFU and go away!

Good for you. Mint is Ubuntu based and therefore easy. Do you want a cookie or something? I can install 8 and be up and running in minutes, so what?

"Windows 8 out of the box is much more difficult to use than many Linux OS"

Ok just stop, I can't take it! My stomach hurts from laughing so hard!

The only distro I can think of that would be easier to use than 8 would be Zorin....maybe Netrunner but I'm pro Netrunner anyway.

Nothing I've said has been with the intention to "convince" anyone. I don't have to. You can't figure out how to use it, so no amount of training now can help you. Maybe one day you'll look at a 8.1 machine on it's desktop and wonder how the heck did the user do that and ask them. I'll let them convince you. Me? I'll just sit back and laugh that another mindless sheep can't use a PC without a start button on the lower left border. Betcha didn't know that the Start button wasn't ALWAYS there! Yep when Win 95 came out it was treated EXACTLY like Windows 8 is now. People didn't like the Start menu but learned to use it.

Edit: I forgot to mention this comment was posted using a PC running Win8.1 Preview with Classic Shell (installed after Stardock Start8 trial ended) with all the Apps removed, God Mode and many other mods & add-ons I shouldn't have to do. LOL!

Look for Windows Update Packs and tools like WinToolkit which you can use to build your own completely up-to-date installer. You do NOT need to spend 1-2 hours and several reboots to get a new install updated. And the more adventuresome can build the system they want, with drivers, updates and apps, then capture that image and use it for the next install. Imagine all your drivers and applications waiting for you on a completely up-to-date Bare Metal Clean Install of Windows.

Nope... I don't think it would be too much to ask for. I would love to have a service pack 2. Just so I didn't have to install so many darn updates when I rebuild people's computers. Do you think we will ever get one?

"The OEM said its decision to sell Windows 7 systems in a Windows 8 world was influenced by 'popular demand'…"

Except the OEM (HP) didn't "say" anything. The only source for this story was some text on a flyer.

If you think about it, there's a much more interesting story here: the number of half-assed tech writers who are so willing to glom onto anything that perpetuates this bullshit Windows 8 narrative that they're willing to forego even the most basic fact checking.

At least HP is listening to their user base. I have both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. The only thing that made Windows 8.1 tolerable is a couple $5 programs that allow me to make it like Windows 7. My desktop and laptops are not tablets or smart phones and don't need smart phone interfaces. Microsoft laid an egg on the UI. PERIOD.

The more interesting story is that many Microsoft employees have been tasked with trolling web sites for damage control, as all the advertising in the world isn't increasing demand for Metro or Windows phones.

How about you guys just concentrate more on your products and less on insulting or "educating" your customers?

Yes they did. 8 was amazingly stable when it rolled out. Vista while an improvement over XP for interface was buggy as heck. With 8 the gripes are mostly about the interface. Most of those are aesthetic. "I just hate it." A lot less are about specific nits. "I can't find some of the utilities I use a lot nearly as easy.".

Aesthetic? Is that how you clowns are qualifying customer dissatisfaction? The amount of wild spin you manage to keep your jobs....

It's not "aesthetics" when your customers can no longer figure out how to start programs or turn off their computers. That's called "function," and it's why you can't turn a desktop PC into a smart phone.

It was funnier when you were calling your customers Luddites. But do stick to the "insult them until they tow the line" mantra. It's a winner.

Windows 8 is not the new "Vista" by any stretch. The problems with Vista were mostly technical and resolved itself over time. Vista SP2 is just as good as Windows 7, if only because by that time there were plenty of working drivers and people realized that yes, you shouldn't assume every account is an administrator account.

The problem with Windows 8 is a subjective one. I can use Windows 8 just fine and it has no technical issues that Windows Vista had at launch.

Windows 8 is the new Windows 95, if anything. Windows 95 was technically better than Windows 3.1, but it had a radical GUI change that few people were certain would work. It sounds crazy, but it was actually the mindset back then.

If I was to type out a response it would sound exactly like your post LatiosXT. You completely nailed it with the Win95 comparison.
That being said, Windows 8 ditching the "Start Button" and defaulting to the new "Start Screen" was a gamble that backfired terribly. At least 8.1 gives us back the "start button" and lets you do things like make your system boot to "Desktop" first. It's amazing, but simply by allowing the Start Screen to be transparent and use the desktop background, my Mother is now a heck of a lot more comfortable with the Windows 8 box I built for her to replace her XP machine.

Totally agree LatiosXT. Windows 8.1 is very stable and I have not gotten any hiccups. The only real annoyance for me is that pictures opens with the Photo app and so does the documents. Any way to change this? Managing files on those apps are depressing and is just too much work when I have different drives and folders.

Fellow Windows 8.1 lover here. I completely agree, but I also think it's a bit unfair to say Windows 8 was the new Windows 95. When Windows 95 hit, there was only 3 other versions of Windows preceding it. At that time, a GUI was still relatively "new" after coming from DOS and everything prior to that. Windows 95 changed things up, but only after 3 OSs, all of which did not already have a huge user base compared to what we see today. When Windows 8, hit it was preceded by 6 OSs that had carried over roughly the same UI for well over a decade, all of which cumulatively had a huge user base around the world. So I completely understand how the masses, which are not typically power-users and need some guidance, had a bit of pushback. (Let's not forget that Windows 8 RTM did a very poor job at explaining itself out of the box to less technically inclined users... 8.1 is better now, though)

I love Windows 8 and 8.1, but it was too much too quickly with little hand-holding for the largely tech-illiterate masses.